Edmund is the twin brother of Tolly, who was the centre of The Major’s Faux Fiancée, the previous book in the series, with everyone believing Edmund had been left dead on the battlefield. The remaining friends have all known that Sarah has been left pregnant whilst Edmund was off fighting, and Ravenwood (one of the remaining bachelors) stepped in at the last minute to make sure the child at least had a name. However, a bearded, unkempt, unwashed Edmund gatecrashes the wedding in dramatic style, without realising that Sarah was now 8 months pregnant and in need of support.

Rest of the review can be found here:

https://nordie.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/book-review-the-brigadiers-runaway-bride...

REVIEW OF THE ARC
This series explores what happened to 4 friends who went away to fight the French and the aftermath of their return after being wounded (emotionally and physically) during the battle of Waterloo. Four went off to war but only three returned – until this book. If you haven’t read the series beware – there may be spoilers ahead.
This is a delightful story of how two people who have loved each other since childhood manage to work through the many issues that now make them almost strangers. The characters are well written and as the 5th book in the series it wasn’t what I had expected but was so much better.
Edmund Blackpool was left for dead on the battlefield after being shot in the chest. Only, he wasn’t dead. After months of recovery he begins the long journey home to England and his betrothed – Sarah. Thinking of her and their one night together before the battle gives him the hope to go on.
When Edmund finally gets home it is just in time to stop the wedding of his beloved Sarah to their friend the Duke of Ravenswood. As Sarah turns from the altar the reason for the wedding is obvious – she is 8 months pregnant and the Duke is marrying her to give the child (Edmund’s child) a name.
With the wedding to the duke stopped, Edmund prepares to marry Sarah. They marry but as soon as they say I DO, Sarah disappears not to be found until Edmund is called during the birth of his child. Only it isn’t one son, it’s two – identical twins. With no servants and little money, Sarah and Edmund must rediscover each other while also caring for the new twins.
While the other books in this series have dealt with the recovery from the ravages of war with the help of the friends and family, in this story Edmund’s injuries and PTSD are the least of their problems. He wonders if he is capable of taking care of a wife and children while jumping at any loud noises or the traffic on London streets.
Meanwhile, Sarah is overwhelmed with mothering 2 infants and worrying that the body her husband fell in love with isn’t the body left behind after birth.
( )

I liked Sarah. What I enjoyed the most about her was that she despite having the rug pull out from under her feet numerous ties she refused to allow others to dictate her life. She was a character that was full of surprises and that is what grabbed and held my attention. The anatomy of a great story at least for me is that it is engaging and hard to walk away from. This was those two things and more. I received a copy of The Brigadier's Runaway Bride in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

2.5*

Opinion in Portuguese: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2015/09/livro-brigadiers-runaway-bride-de-erica....

This was my first NetGalley book. I’ve never heard about this author, so it was all completely new.

In this historical romance, we have a story with a different perspective: usually, we read about what happens before the marriage and kids, how the couple met, if it was love at first sight, and so on. Here, the book focuses on the post-marriage part, and the birth of not one baby, but twins (double the work load!).

Sarah and Edward felled in love at first sight apparently, and before he went off to war, they decided that making love would be a good idea, considering that when he came back they would marry. Well, 8 and something months later, the girl has a huge “bun in the oven” and the guy is presumed dead.

Edward’s friends, even though they only appear in the book a few times, they looked like interesting characters, willing to do anything to help Sarah (who was pregnant and had no baby daddy).

When Edward miraculously returns from war and expects to find his bride worrying about him and why wasn’t he found, his life turns around: instead of being just a fiancé in love, he becomes a daddy just a few days after he marries Sarah, so that his baby boys are not born illegitimate.

The book tries to deal (just a bit) with post-traumatic stress. If you want to work in something like that, at least try to develop it more than just saying he was scarred of loud noises; show the reader what happened, not only to the main character but to the ones surrounding him! Because everyone hurts, even if in different ways.

The love and romance should have been more developed, you can see (and feel) the love they have for their children, but the love for each other isn’t very present.

The writing was a bit repetitive, the descriptions of the characters and places were weak and should have been more explored.

Despite all this, the book took the job (because it’s a real job!) that is to raise two children, twins, without a lot of money and with difficult problems that would take time to overcome, even with the support of friends and family (again, something that could have been more developed). The book could have been bigger, better, even though it ends with the promise of something better for this family. ( )

...so so

Pregnant to another man, Sarah Fairfax is about to marry her dead fiancée's comrade when the church door bursts open and the not so dead fiancée, Brigadier Edmund Blackpool returns to claim his bride. Be still my beating heart! Here is heady excitement, a tale to hang on! Unfortunately my beating heart cooled somewhat as I read on. The promise portrayed by this exciting premise fizzled into disappointment. The execution of a great plot just wasn't quite there. My enthusiasm was quenched.
For me, The Brigadiers Runaway Bride didn't reach the potential it could have or the standard set by previous 'dukes' stories.
Despite, this those of us following the Dukes of War series will want to read it.

A NetGalley ARC ( )